Update: Does the Slush Fund Government Really Want Effective Whistleblower Legislation?
This updates the post directly below. Check what a woman who has been on unpaid leave for the past six years has to say about the whistleblower legislation -- along with others' criticism, although everyone makes a bit of noise about the legislating being a welcome first attempt. Note what has been italicized and emphasized below by me.
OTTAWA -- [. . . .] Ottawa said the legislation covers most federal public-sector employees and requires bureaucracy bosses to set up avenues for internal disclosure.
[. . . .] But the legislation doesn't go nearly far enough, critics said. It doesn't include cabinet ministers' aides or those who are involved in national security, including the RCMP, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment and National Defence.
The law also calls for a new integrity commissioner to be appointed by and to report to a cabinet minister, [. . . . ]
Joanna Gualtieri, one of two former Foreign Affairs employees who say their bosses harassed them for years after they tried to get officials to put an end to excessive spending, called the legislation a "major disappointment."
Ms. Gualtieri, who has been on unpaid leave for the past six years [I have a suspicion she could tell a very interesting story. NJC], said it doesn't provide enough independence from government, nor does it provide potential whistle blowers with adequate protection.[. . . .]
She and other critics also warned civil servants not to believe that they're protected by the proposal.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents about 49,000 professionals and scientists, saluted the government for fulfilling a long-held commitment but criticized much of its content. It said the legislation doesn't provide whistle blowers with direct access to an independent third party, excludes too many employees, and fails to provide an independent integrity commissioner.
